Set during the WWII-era invasion of Guadalcanal, this war drama centers on the powerful bond that develops between a gentle young private who grows to become a ruthless soldier and the sadistic sergeant who despises him. Despite their… MoreSet during the WWII-era invasion of Guadalcanal, this war drama centers on the powerful bond that develops between a gentle young private who grows to become a ruthless soldier and the sadistic sergeant who despises him. Despite their mutual loathing, the two must work together to stop Japanese snipers.

In adapting Jones's novel for the screen, Gordon neatly compacted whole scenes from the book, occasionally causing confusion. Motivations are often touched on superficially rather than probed into to show the psychology of men at war.